Public Square Books and U.S. Starcom To Open Small Bookstores

By Aída Bardales -- Críticas, 8/15/2006

Public Square Books plans a joint bookselling venture with U.S. Starcom, a provider of prepaid phone cards and other services, the publisher announced last month. Together they will establish small bookstores within existing U.S. Starcom retail outlets located in predominantly Hispanic neighborhoods. The bookstores will offer Spanish-language graphic novels, Spanish-language and bilingual children’s books, and a small selection of CDs and DVDs. “The objective of this project is to establish a marketing vehicle and retail placement where Spanish speakers shop,” Public Square Books President Larry Bennett told Críticas.

A related online bookstore, www.libroestrella.com, will be launched at the end of September. It will offer an extensive selection of books, music, and related products.

Public Square Books publishes graphic novels in Spanish for the U.S. Latino market. U.S. Starcom offers various products and services to Spanish speakers, including prepaid phone cards, international calling and Internet facilities, and wire transfer services to Latin America.

“We’ve had a very enthusiastic reception for our product line from librarians and educators,” said Katelin Trowbridge, Marketing & Sales Manager for Public Square Books. “The U.S. market for Spanish-language graphic novels is challenging…. Our joint venture with U.S. Starcom is another way to meet the challenges this new market presents.”